Electric towing-locomotive.



c. w. LARSON. ELECTRIC TOWING LOCOMOTIVE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY29. 1915.

Patented Mar. 28,1916.

' II I Inventor:

Carl W. Larson by Hi5 Attorney.

Tm: COLUMBIA PLA IOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

C. W. LARSON.

ELECTRIC TOWING LOCOMOTIVE.

APPLICATION FILED IULYZQ. I915. I

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Patnted Mar. 28

Inventor: Carl W Larson,

His Attorney.

THE COLUMBM PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

C. W. LARSON.

ELECTRIC TOWING LOCOMOTIVE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, 1915.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3- Fig.5.

Inventor:

Carl W. Larson,

His JTttorneg.

THE COLUMBIA FMNOGRAPH $0.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

c. w. LARSON.

' ELECTRIC TOWING LOCOMOTIVE.

APPLICATION FILED 1uLY29. 1915.

1,177,422. Patented Mar. 28,1916;

X is 4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

Carl W. Lair-son,

His fittbr'neg THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

1. ED STATES PATENT oFFroE.

CARL W. LARSON, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA. ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC TOWING-LOCOMOTIVE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented D1311. 28', 191?.

Original application filed October 28, 1914, Seria1 No.'869.001 Divided and this application filed. July 2 9,

1915. Serial No. 42,550.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL IV. LARSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Erie, in the county of Erie, State of Penn exerted through a cable wound upon a drum mounted upon the locomotive.

My invention comprises various improvements in the drum operating mechanism, and the rope guides therefor, all as hereinafter set forth and claimed.

each other to follow the vessel.

The present application constitutes a division of my pending application filed October 28, 1914, Serial No. 869,001.

The locomotive which I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings has been designed and built for service at the Panama Canal for towing vessels into andthrough the looks; but it is evidently capable of other cognate uses. such for instanceas pulling trains up heavy grades, etc. The system of towing adopted at the Panama Canal locks utilizes for each vessel four locomotives running along the canal walls, two being opposite each other in advance of the vessel, and two running o posite Cables extend from the forward locomotives and cone nect with the port and starboard sides re-:

spectively of the essel near the bow, and other cables connect the rear locomotives with the port and starboard quarters of the vessel.

The lengths of the towing cables are adjusted to position the vessel substantially in .mid-channel, and when the leading locomo-. tives are started they will tow the vessel,

while the trailing locomotives will follow; the speed of all the locomotives being practically the same. Moreover. the towing cables can be adjusted at will during the tow. Thus the vessel is alwa s under comthe hand brakes on the trailing locomotives being applied, thus retardingthe vessel until it comes to a stop. For such service, the locomotive must have a low center of gravity to reduce the danger of being upset by the lateral pull of the cable. It must have means for slowly paying out or taking in the towing cable during maneuvering and control of the vessel, and means for quickly hauling in the cable when it has been cast off. It must have yielding couplings for the winding drum which will give to prevent the cable from parting in case of an excessive strain. It must have well designed and flexible guiding devices to accommodate for theyarious angles of the cable. My invention aims to'proyide for all these reouirements. J

In the accom anying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved towing locomoti e with some of the side plates -re-' moved; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the middle portion of the same on a larger scale: Fig. 3 is across-section on the line 33; Fig.2, certain parts being broken "away; Fig. 4: is a plan view of the cable guiding devices; Fig. 5 is a c oss-sect on of the same on the line Fig. 4;.Fig. 6 is anothercrosssect on of the same'onthe line 1' 7 Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a plan view of the pedestal and brace on a smaller scale, and Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the same on the line az,

Fig. 7;

The working partsof the locomotive are The pedestals 7 for the wheel axles 8 are located at the junction of these end portions with the middle portion, and are of the usual locomotive type, having vertical parallel jaws between which slide the journal boxes 9.- Springs 10 are interposed between the tops of the journal boxes and the'tops of the pedestals. The locomotive is thus mounted upon four wheels ll carried on the two axles 8, the" wheel base being, in the locomotive selected for illustration, about twelve feet, and the overall length of the locomotive over thirty-two feet.

Each axle is driven by its own motor, ill-1' dependently of the other, the construction being identical at both ends ofthe machine; l The two motors are controlledby suitable controllers installed in: the cabs at the ends of the locomotive, and the circuits are such that both motors can be controlled from either cab. and can be operated in series or' inmultiple as desired. Current may be taken from a. working conductor by any kind :of current collecting device, such as,

the plow shown in Figs. 1 and Inasmuch as these electrical features form no part of my inven 'ionl have not deemed it necessary to describe them in detail.

Passing now to the features which render the locomotive peculiarly adapted for tow in'g purposes, it will be observed that the drum12 on which the cable 13 is wound is located midway between the endsof the 10- comotive and above the upper member 3 of the side frames, so that the cable can, be led off on either side of the machine and through a wide range of angles to the line of traveL Thehuh 14 of the drum is rotatably-mounb ed upon the hub 15 of the spider 16wh1ch in turn is rotatableupon. the upper portion of amassive, tubular, vertical cylindrical column 17'rising'from a pedestal 18 secured.

to the base plate 19 which is supported upon the lower members 4 of the side frames. The upper portion ofjthe pedestal is held in a brace 20 whichf is shown as a heavy X -s'haped casting fastened. to the upper members 3 of the side frames and to two of the cross-beams 2. This brace fits the pedestat; just below the shoulder 21 on which the hub 15 is stopped.

Thefspider 16 supports a circular rim 22' which has a horizontal upper surface 23 and a dependent flange 24. On the surface 23 is secured a flat, smooth bronze ring25, on which lies a smooth fiat ring 26'of steel. A's'econd bronze ring 27, similar to the first,

" lies' on top of the steel ring and secured to a flanged follower Q8. Studs 29 project up" from the rim 22 throughholes. in a hori zontal flange of the follower and are enci r= cled by springs 30 which abut between said.

respectively to two upright shafts 37, 381

' Stepbearings 39," 40 areprovided for these arms t1, 42,1projecting from the upperjpor shaftsin the base of the pedestal 18,- while tion of the'pedestaljust below the brace 20 afford guide bearings 48, 44 for the upper- )ortions of said'sh-a'fts, Aworm eari45 is clutched to the shaft 37 and is driven byia worm 46 on the shaftzof an electric motor 47 bolted to the base 19 of the:locomotive. This gearing is inclcsed by a: casing 48. A- bevel gear 49 is keyed to the-upright. shaft the shaft of an electric motor 51 fastened to the base 19.

The motor '51 is used. for driyingthe drium at a fast rateuof speed-rfoncoiling. in or pay ingout cable, It remains-'-permanentlyin;-

gear. The cthermetor, 47, is used'fortakin lin, or. a ing'out cable when it isunder 38 and meshes with a bevel pinion 50: on

l0ad,--and--- the drum operates as a Windlass V orcapstan. It operates much more slowly and" powerfully than the motor 51, and: cani be disconnected from its shaft when rnot'in use; To this end, arlutc'hsis providedjhaving one men'iber' 52 splined ito the shaft'37 and the rther member53 attached to: the hub 54 of the worm gear, which is sleeved on the shaft. A lever '55, fulcrumed to, a, lug 56 on the arm 41, is pivotally connected to the-hub of the clutch member 52,and; its

other end i'sattac'hed to the movable core of a 'SOle HO1Cl 57 which is in circuitawithi the motor 51, so that; whenever the circuit ;of

the latter is} closed the solenoid will lift its core and the lever'55,.andithus' throwfo'ut the clutch of: the slowwinding'in'ctor, allow;

ing shaft 37 to revolye, jbut motor ;47 "and r The cahle-guide whichdirects the cable as r wormgear 45 reniainingat rests it pays out or winds up, is mountedto re-fl volveon the axis' of'the drum It comprises,

former being acirci'ilar"bell whichserves'as I two angularly adjustable portions 58, 59, the 1 v a 1 a cover or cable guard for the winding; drum. The hub 60 of the bell is journaled on theupper endof the column '17, being:

stepped on a shoulder thereon; Atone' gs'ide' the'bell'is cut away toadinit' the cable to" the;

drum; On' each sideo'fi' this opening-his,

bolted one end of a" frame, comprising box:

like ends 61 connected by two para'llel bars 62, a one above and the other below said open'-. mg; Between said bars'and ion either side of [the opening aretwoupright guid'ear'olls 63 having cylindrical fa'ces,androtatirigon;

journals received in hearings in the bars 62.

At each end of thisvframe, arms 64 extend f downwardly to afford supports for two rolliem .65 mounted on horizontal studs 66 se'-- These rollers are adapted to. travel .between the upper and lower flanges of'a circular channel inona67 which" has its web extending vertica"la1yand.v

cured in said arms.

which fastened 'on :top'of the side frames concentric withthe column: 17, and forms a;

track supporting thev outer end-of the" frame 1 61, 62, and relievijiigthecolumn 17 of 'the weight thereof. Stops 1 68: arereniova'blyyae;

tached'to the top of the channel iron 67 to prevents the guide members from accidentally coming off. The outer end of the member 59 is an upright rectangular. frame in whose top and bottom is j ournaled on a vertical axis aswivel 71 carrying two grooved rolls 72, journaled one above the other on horizontal axes. The edges of these rolls stand close together, so that their grooves form an opening through. which the cable 13 passes, about on a line with the middle of the guide rolls 63. The frame 70 is supported by rollers 73 running in the track 67.

The guide member 59 has an angular movement with reference to the member 58, limited by the frame '70 striking the ends of the frame 61. lVhen the cable is pulled either' forward or backward from the middle position it occupies in Fig. 1, the swivel permits the grooved rolls 72 to move with it, and the guide member 59 swings also, so that the rolls 72 continue to support the rope on a line with. the middle of the rolls 63, without being themselves subjected to any side strain. All lateral strains are sustained by the heavy guide rolls 63; the cable moving up and down between them as it winds on the drum. It will be observed that the latter is in the form of a deeply grooved wheel, the groove 7% being U-shaped. It is found that the cable lays itselfup in a solid regular coil in this groove. so that it can withstand a heavy pull without jamming.

This locomotive has a number of features which have made it a practical success. It is constructed on accepted lines of locomotive practice. The parts are all simple and sturdy and designed to meet and sustain heavy duty. Each propelling motor and its gearing is so mounted as to insure smooth and easy running. The controllingmechanism, both mechanical and electricahis duplicated in the two cabs, so that the locomotive can be handled from either end. The winding drum and guide members are on top of the locomotive in full view from both cabs. The friction rings which constitute the clutch between the driving spider and the cable drum, are machined and ground to a smooth fit, and by means ofthe compres sion springs thev can be set to slip at any desired load on the cable up to the breaking strain of the same. given load, the drum can be relied upon to slip Within five per cent. of that load. This When adiusted for a always will prevent the cable from breaking as the strainis limited by this device. This device is also necessary when a tow is too heavy to be accelerated at locomotive speed, and it allows the cable to slip out- .until the speed of the tow increases to that of the locomotive.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire tohave it understood that the apparatusshown. is only illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means...

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1sz- 1. An electric towing locomotive having deep side frames connected by cross beams, a vertical winding drum rotatable above said frames, .a circular channel iron concentric with saidwinding drum and having its web extending vertically, a cable guide member pivoted concentric with'said drum,

and rollers on said member adapted to travel between the upper and'lower flanges of said channel iron.

2. An electric towing locomotive having a rigid frame, a vertical winding drum above said frame, a bell covering said drum and rotatable on the same axis, a frame secured to said bell and carrying upright guide rolls, a circular track concentric with said drum, and rollers on said last named frame running on said track.

3. An electric towing locomotive having a rigid frame, a vertical winding drum above said frame, a circular track concentric with said drum, and two cable guiding members independently pivoted concentric with said drum and supported on said track, one carrying upright guide rolls and the other horizontal guide rolls.

4. An electric towing locomotive having a 5. An electric towing locomotive having a rigid frame, a vertical winding drum-above said frame, two cable guiding members independently pivoted concentric with said drum, upright cylindrical guide rolls on one member, a swivel mounted in the other member in front of the guide rolls and turning on a vertical axis, and horizontal grooved rollsjournaled in said swivel.

6. An electric towing locomotive, havinga rigid frame, a column rising above the same,

a windingzdrumirotatably supported byisai'd column, .a circular channel iron. concentric withsaid column, a bell rotatablymounted on 1 said column andinclosingsaidzdrum,a frame comprisingendportions secured to said hell I and bars connecting. said end portions, up-

right guide rolls carried by said bars said end portions having downward extensions,

andnrollers carried by said downward eX- tenslons of said end portionsandengaging said channel iron.

7 An; electric towing: locomotive having: a

rigid frame, a pedestal carried thereby and 8. An-electric towing locomotive-.havinga rigid frame, a pedestal carried thereby and having an upright col.un1n,1,a= spider and :a

Winding drum rotataibly supported byz'said 28 for coiling and the slower for,WindiI'1g,- and 130 1 a :clutchfor disconnecting the slow-=speedi orswindlassmotor;

9. An electrictowing locomotive havin'ga rigid frame, apedestal carried thereby and having: an: uprigl1t*column',a spider and a windingdrum' rotatably supported by said 7 column, friction devices for coupling; saidspider and :drum, gear teeth secured-t to said spider, two motors geared thereto for: driv-' ing said spider atv different speeds,-the faster 140- for coiling andpthe slowerforiwindin a clutch" for disconnecting the slow ,spee Zor Windlass inotor,: and: a solenoid in circuit with the coiling 'm0't0r for opening; said clutch whenasaid coiling motor is energized.i"

In Witnesswhereof, I have hereunto set my hand: this 27th day of July-1915.

CARL LARSON.

Copies of this patent may he. obtained:for five cents each, ;by1addressing thr; iqommissionerveta Patents. Washington, D. 0.? I 

